The Jacksboro sophomore post is listed as six feet tall everywhere an online roster can be found, but she admits in a cheery voice she “may be a little shy of that.”

What isn’t debatable is the impact Thompson has made on a dangerous Tigerette squad and the improvement she has shown during her second year of high school.

Thompson recorded 14 points and 12 rebounds Tuesday night in a 63-24 victory over Henrietta, keeping Jacksboro in sole possession of second place in a District 8-3A race that’s bound to be entertaining down the stretch.

Her height helps when it comes to corralling rebounds and blocking shots. It’s also what stands out when opposing teams look across the court during warmups.

But what forces man-to-man defenses to often double Thompson is what she can do with the basketball.

After averaging 9.5 points as a freshman, Thompson has increased that production to 13.7 per game in 2017-18, and coach Todd Matlock credits that to her constant drive that’s also showcased in the classroom, where she’s in the running to be the valedictorian of her class.

“As far as her feet, last year she was learning and having to think about her moves before. It almost looked robotic because she was having to think about it,” Matlock said. “Now it’s becoming much more natural for her. She reads the defense much better and takes care of the opportunities the defense gives her.

“There’s a couple things she needs to work to definitely play at the next level. Right now, she’s coming along extremely quick for a girl her size.”

Thompson said she’s always been taller than everyone else, and part of that is genetics. Her father is over six feet tall and her mother is 5-foot-8, which is above average for a female.

Her ascension last winter as a freshman coincided with a 30-win season that included a second-place district finish and the program’s first playoff victory in more than two decades.

Jacksboro's Baylee Thompson and the Tigerettes are in second place in a tightly contested District 8-3A race.(Photo: Paul Roberts/For the Avalanche-Journal)

With most of their starters returning, the Tigerettes didn’t have the luxury of flying under the radar this time around. But they’ve earned their stripes, especially during Jacksboro’s run to the Caprock Classic title game in late December.

“We’re living up to those expectations,” Thompson said. “There’s a few games where we didn’t do what people expected, but that’s because we weren’t ready for what was coming at us. Now we’ve seen those things and we’ll be more prepared.”

Thompson, a rare Red River 22 selection as a freshman, was a regional qualifier last year in the discus and has competed on Jacksboro’s volleyball team, although she sat out the sport this fall. Thompson also participates in cross-country, using the unheralded sport to work on her conditioning.

While Thompson is the Tigerette most teams focus on stopping every time she takes the court, Jacksboro has plenty of weapons to worry about.

Matlock calls point guard Trinity Tisdale, who’s among the area’s leaders in assists (4.1) and steals (3.8), the team’s motor.

“She’s the most unselfish player I’ve ever had,” Matlock said. “It’s more about winning than it is about trinity. Those girls are getting fewer and far between.”

Hayley Laake (29 3-pointers) and Jordan Nichols are the other starting guards, while posts Leah Plaster and Jaymee Yount – who comes off the bench – aren’t afraid to do the dirty work each team needs to be successful.

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Point guard Trinity Tisdale is described as Jacksboro's motor by coach Todd Matlock.(Photo: Lauren Roberts/Times Record News)

“We work really well together and get along really well,” Thompson said. “We’ve been keeping it positive and have a lot of girls who work hard. When you have everyone working hard in practice, that helps in games.”

After Friday’s game against last-place City View, the schedule toughens for the Tigerettes, who have Holliday and district frontrunner Bowie next week and then Nocona on the road immediately afterward.

They’ll likely have to run the table to finish as the 8-3A champions, and while Matlock’s squad is approaching one game at a time, it’s not difficult to envision the Tigerettes going on a late-season tear.

“I’m really excited for what I think is going to happen,” Thompson said. “I think we can do some great things together and I’m really looking forward to it.”